Traditional Metal Braces
The most common type, traditional metal braces are smaller and more comfortable today than ever before. Made of high-grade stainless steel, metal braces straighten your teeth using metal brackets and archwires. With metal braces, you have the option of adding colored elastics (rubber bands) for a more unique style.
Ceramic Braces
Ceramic braces are a great option for patients who are considering braces but want to opt for something less noticeable than metal brackets.
Ceramic braces utilize tooth colored brackets and clear materials that blend in with your smile. They offer many of the same benefits of traditional braces and are a popular option for adults.
Self-ligating Braces
Self-ligating braces utilize (sliding-door) technology known as “self-ligation” that allow the wires to slide back and forth within the bracket. No elastic or steel ties are used with self-ligating brackets.
This technology creates less friction and results in greater comfort for the patient. In addition, self-ligating braces often reduce both treatment time and the number of adjustments that are usually performed.
Braces Care Tips
How to Brush your Teeth with Braces
How to Floss your Teeth with Braces
Step 1: Start with the outside of the teeth, with the brush a straight angle. Use circular, vibrating motions.
Step 2: Clean the area between the gums and braces by angling the brush down (up for the lower jaw). Keep moving in a circular motion.
Step 3: Clean the rest of the outside of the teeth by angling the brush up (down for the lower jaw).
Step 4: Carefully brush the chewing surface of both the upper and lower jaw.
Step 5: Finish by brushing the inside of the teeth.
Step 1: Floss at least once a day. The floss needs to be pulled under the archwire. A floss threader facilitates this. Start by pulling the floss through the threader.
Step 2: Push the end of the floss threader under the archwire and pull the floss through.
Step 3: Pull the floss up between the teeth and gently move it up and down the side of both teeth. Remember to move it up all the way under the gums.
Step 4: Pull the floss out and use a different section of it for the next tooth.
When you are finished brushing and flossing, rinse your mouth carefully with water or an antiseptic dental rinse. An antiseptic dental rinse can help minor gum inflammations and irritations form orthodontic appliances. Also used to cleanse canker sores, minor wounds and other mouth and gum irritations, this mouth rinse removes debris, enabling natural healing to occur.
An interdental toothbrush (proxabrush) is another aid you might find useful in keeping your teeth, braces and gums clean and healthy. It can be used to clean under orthodontic wires and around braces. Use this device slowly and carefully, so you do not damage your braces.
During the retention phase, it is important to brush your retainer every time you brush your teeth as they can accumulate food particles and plaque, Once a day, you should soak your appliance in a glass of room temperature tap water with a denture-cleansing tablet, such as Polident or Efferdent. This will help prevent plaque build-up and oral infections and will keep your appliance tasting better. Do not use hot water as it can distort the appliance.
Your teeth may be a little sore for the first week in braces, so we recommend sticking to a soft food diet until the discomfort subsides. While in braces, you can still eat just about anything, although there are a few exceptions. You should avoid hard foods, such as ice and pizza crust, as well as sticky foods, including licorice and caramels. These foods can damage wires and brackets. It is also important to minimize foods high in sugar content, like ice cream and cookies and reduce sugary drinks to once day.